Does the BCS System Encourage Coaches to Play Lots of Easy Teams?

Question

Has it hurt football?

Answer 1

Yes, it does, and it has hurt football. The BCS has essentially no strength-of-schedule component and cares too much about W's and L's vs. who you play. So whether you're in a strong conference or a weak conference, you're going to load up on cupcakes during your non-conference schedule to make sure: a) you get your 6 or 7 wins to make a bowl, and b) you have a chance to get 9 or 10 wins to get to a major BCS bowl.

The sad thing is that this has made September football pretty much unwatchable. And people paid upwards of $60 or $70 a ticket to see these kinds of stellar matchups during the season:

Furman vs. Clemson
William & Mary at Virginia Tech
Samford at Georgia Tech
Florida International vs. anybody
Youngstown State at Ohio State
Western Illinois at Illinois
Indiana State at Indiana
Citadel at Wisconsin

And that's just a smattering from the ACC and Big Ten.

A playoff system, which should have a strong strength-of-schedule component, would encourage teams to beef up their non-conference schedules significantly, and give fans some good intersectional games to watch. There are only about 7 teams left who have never played a Division I-AA opponent (I know USC, UCLA, and Michigan State are in that group), who should be applauded for how they schedule non-conference. Those that complain about USC will note that their non-conference schedule next year is Ohio State, @Virginia, and Notre Dame.

Answer 2

You think a playoff would make it better? If there was a playoff, there would be no incentive to get votes, just win as many games as possible. To the guy above me, the BCS has nothing to do with OSU playing Youngstown State, and everything to do with it being the place Tressel coached for 15 years before he got to OSU. Tressel is a very loyal guy, and did it as a favor. The current coach of Youngstown state is the brother of one of the coordinators for the bucks, as well. Next year OSU plays USC and Troy. My guess is USC OSU will be a battle of top 5 teams, and Troy is always a tough team that no one talks about. The great thing about playing USC early is OSU(or USC) will still have a shot at the championship with a loss. I think the BCS encourages teams to play one big game early. I am not a huge fan of the BCS, but I like it a lot better than a playoff.

Answer 3

It is only fair that some of the stronger teams play the weaker.

The amount of money that is paid to weaker or "Smaller" collegs is pretty signifcant, and it helps to build their Athletic Departments.

For instance, Appalachin State was paid in the range of $700,000 dollars to play Michigan. And they pulled out a win which goes very far for recruiting and in positive press.

But what really matters is that they received a substantial amount of money.

This money will go towards stadium upgrades, athletic equipment, and coaches salaries.

This is why it is so vital for more "Popular" teams to play "Less" popular teams.

It spreads the money throughout the NCAA rather than just keeping it at the top.

Answer 4

NO, if it did, then Hawaii, would be ranked higher....
All top notch programs in all conferences.. player similar NON-con schedules...
1 BCS Opponent
2 or 3 MidMajors (maybe sub a top notch Div1AA team for 1 mid major)

edit: the onlyB you forgot
LSU vs Middle Tennesse
Georgia vs W Carolina
Tennesse vs Arkansas ST
Florida vs W Kentucky....
Why you leave out the SEC cupcake schedule?

Ok, so those teams are not into playing top notch programs from smaller schools that is their perogative,,, not necessarily something to be applauded..

Also div 1AA games do not count towards Bowl Eligibility.. so that argument is BS

Answer 5

No, most teams are in a conference and schedules are set far enough in advance that you don't even know how good any team will be including the one your coaching. The BCS keeps the bowl tradition, and now we get #1 vs #2 unlike what it was like 9 years ago. Lastly the kids don't need anymore games to risk injury and loose a shot at the NFL just so we as fans can validate any system in place.

Answer 6

It does if they are in a decent conference that has some alright teams. But if you are in a weak conference like the WAC, you must schedule some tough non-conference foes to offset your weak conference schedule and impress the voters and computers.